Questions tagged [multivariable-calculus]

Use this tag for questions about differential and integral calculus with more than one independent variable. Some related tags are (differential-geometry), (real-analysis), and (differential-equations).

Multivariable functions are functions like $f(x,y)=xy^2$, functions that have two or more inputs but still only one output.

There exist multivariable limits, where $x$ and $y$ approach a value instead of just $x$.

In multivariable calculus, when writing $\frac{\mathrm{d}}{\mathrm{d}x} \ f(x,y)$, one does not assume $y$ to be a constant, instead it is assumed that $y$ is a function of $x$.

To indicate that $y$ is a constant, one should use $\frac{\partial}{\partial x} f(x,y)$. These are called partial derivatives.

One also has integrals of multivariable functions. We say that we integrate over a surface in case of a two-variable function. We write this as $$\iint_S f(x,y)$$

If the surface is a rectangle $S: [a,b] \times [c,d]$, and the function is continuous on this rectangle, then Fubini's theorem says that $$\iint_S f(x,y) = \int^b_a\int^d_c f(x,y) \mathrm{d}y \mathrm{d}x$$

35850 questions
4
votes
2 answers

Angular Velocity around a given axis

Consider the problem of a point p rotating around a given axis. The axis of rotation is ω , |ω| = 1 , and q is a point on the axis. Assuming that the point rotates around the axis with unit angular velocity, then the velocity of the point p(t)…
4
votes
2 answers

continuously differential parametrization of a tricky surface

I'm looking for a continuously differentiable parametrization of $$x^3+y^2-z^2=1$$ but I'm actually totally stuck. If the $x$ term were quadratic instead of cubic, it would be simple: $$(x,y,z)=(\sqrt{t^2+1}\cos\theta, \sqrt{t^2+1}\sin\theta,…
4
votes
1 answer

query on maximum minimum of multi-variable function

Q.How do we find out the sum of absolute maximum and absolute minimum values of $f(x,y)=(x+y)^2-(x+y)+1$ on a unit square $\{(x,y):0
shadow kh
  • 953
  • 5
  • 15
4
votes
2 answers

Difference between magnitude of gradient vs directional derivative of gradient

I've read that the directional derivative is the rate of change of a function $f$ in a given direction $\mathbf{v}$, given as $\nabla f\cdot \mathbf{v}$. I've also read (perhaps incorrectly) that the magnitude of the gradient also tells us the rate…
John
  • 1,139
4
votes
2 answers

Continuous partial derivatives implies continuous differential

We have the well-known statement (Analysis I by Zorich, p.457): Let $f: U(x) \to \mathbb{R}$ be a function defined in a neighbourhood $U(x) \subseteq \mathbb{R}^m$ of the point $x = (x^1,\dots,x^m)$. If the function $f$ has all partial…
TheGeekGreek
  • 7,869
4
votes
2 answers

Closest point on a plane to a surface. And vice versa.

Find the point on $z=1-2x^2-y^2$ closest to $2x+3y+z=12$ using Lagrange multipliers. Point on surface closest to a plane using Lagrange multipliers Although the methods used in the answers are helpful and do work, my professor told me that the way…
4
votes
2 answers

Trouble with a simple Line Integral.

Let $\gamma$ be a smooth Jordan curve in $\mathbb{R}^2\setminus\{(0,0)\}$ from $(1,0)$ to $(1,0)$, winding about the origin once in the clockwise direction. Compute: $$\int_{\gamma}\frac{y}{x^2+y^2}dx-\frac{x}{x^2+y^2}dy$$ I figured this problem…
user39992
  • 540
4
votes
1 answer

Does this equation define a differentiable function?

I am solving past calculus exams, and I came across the following question. Does the equation: $$ F(x,y,z) = 2\sin(x^2yz) - 3x + 5y^2 - 2e^{yz} = 0 $$ define a differentiable function $z = f(x,y)$ in a neighborhood of $p = (1, 1, 0)$? At first, I…
Hila
  • 1,919
4
votes
1 answer

Function totally differentiable in $(0,0)$

I asked this question here but didn't have an account yet and I can't comment yet on another question. So please forgive me for asking again. Consider the following function: $$f:\mathbb R^2\rightarrow\mathbb R,(x,y)\mapsto\begin{cases} x,&y=0 \\…
ichsens
  • 43
4
votes
1 answer

What shapes are described with $\rho = \cos{(\phi)}$ and $\rho = \cos{(2\theta)}$?

I have started an Multivariable course, and I'm learning about spherical coordinates. My problem now is learn how to graph this kind of shapes. This is the problem: What shapes are described when...? Solution: a) $\rho = 1$ : Sphere with radius…
InfZero
  • 875
4
votes
2 answers

Intuitive way to understand Polar Coordinate Gradient

I am looking for an intuitive way to explain the "$1/r$" factor in the gradient in polar coordinates. For instance, if $g(x,y)=f(r,\theta)$, $$\nabla g=f_r\hat{e_r}+\frac 1rf_\theta\hat{e_\theta}$$ Is there a way to explain the $\frac 1r$ factor? By…
yoyostein
  • 19,608
4
votes
3 answers

Showing that a function is not differentiable

I want to show that $f(x,y) = \sqrt{|xy|}$ is not differentiable at $0$. So my idea is to show that $g(x,y) = |xy|$ is not differentiable, and then argue that if $f$ were differentiable, then so would $g$ which is the composition of differentiable…
roo
  • 5,598
4
votes
2 answers

$\lim_{(x,y)\to (0,0)} \frac{\sin(x^2+y^2)}{x^2+y^2}$

I must admit that I've forgotten how to do multivariable limits. Nevertheless I need to know whether the following exists: $$\lim_{(x,y)\to (0,0)} \frac{\sin(x^2+y^2)}{x^2+y^2}$$ Would it be as simple as defining a function $(x^2+y^2)\mapsto z$. …
4
votes
1 answer

Can a two-variables function be an odd function in one variable?

Like in single variable, we use $f(-x)=-f(x)$ to show that a function is odd. Similarly, for two variables, we can use $f(-x,-y)=-f(x,y)$. If we have a two variable function like this $f(x,y)=x\cos({\sqrt{x^2+(y+a)^2}})$. So,…
zhk
  • 585
  • 7
  • 26
4
votes
1 answer

How to take the second derivative using multi variable chain rule?

I am working on this question: Now I have the first part and found $$\frac{\partial F}{\partial x} = \frac{\partial f}{\partial u}+\frac{\partial f}{\partial v}\\ \frac{\partial F}{\partial y} = \frac{\partial f}{\partial u}-\frac{\partial…
Sam
  • 41